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This was Alexander's 87th expedition and he reckoned it was the
best so far, which was encouraging. We also had Lexi, with Mairi
and Claire as helpers and Treacle the Golden Retriever to assist
with pathfinding.
The forecast had been poor all week but it turned out almost dry,
with a little sun on occasions. The expedition started from the
road near Annac's and there was a bonus when we saw a snipe straight
away, we were to see a woodcock later on. I explained that the triangular
patch of rough ground used to be used as a stopping place by tinkers,
and that I'd heard that a baby had been born there. The path is
not used much now and the heather is quite high.
We got through the gate and walked along the fence, passing the
big warren that used to be full of rabbits before myxomatosis killed
them all. Then we turned and climbed over the pass to the next valley
where we could see a lot of heaps on the hill ready for planting
new trees.
We followed the burn until we were level with a great collection
of tumbled boulders, with the Lookout hidden among them. The explorers
were very nimble and soon got into the Lookout and examined it closely
while Mairi climbed to the back and had a look at the window opening.
I got a couple of pictures of the inside of the structure and then
cautiously made my way down again.
Once reassembled by the burn we climbed onto a small ridge to look
at the view and found the remains of an old house in the heather,
we found an even older one higher up the hill, and the base of a
rock shelter further up. I got some more pictures and an expedition
record of the explorers and dog on a big boulder.
We carried on to the top of the climb and looked down at the heart-shaped
lochan before starting back. I was all for an easy journey but Mairi
decided to take in the view so we slogged up a steep cattle path
to the top of the ridge. I remembered seeing cartridge cases on
this hill many years ago, left by soldiers training in the war,
so we had a look at all the likely spots but didn't find any this
time.
Then we returned to the low ground and back to the gate via an old
pine tree which has been rubbed smooth by deer.
Both the explorers tried a drawing and I have chosen Alexander's
which shows the explorers at the lookout and Treacle by the hill.
John
Dye
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